Delayed Arrival by Nagini Riddle
Summary: "The slightest words you've said
Have all gone to my head.
I hear angels sing in your voice." -Lightweight by Demi Lovato

Abraxas Malfoy pursues the brash, outspoken, Muggle-born beauty known as Helene. Will she ever consent to his overtures?

This is a prequel to Pearls Mean Tears, though this can stand alone.

This is Nagini Riddle of Gryffindor, writing for the TV challenge.
Categories: Other Pairing Characters: None
Warnings: Alternate Universe
Challenges:
Series: None
Chapters: 1 Completed: Yes Word count: 1160 Read: 808 Published: 07/27/14 Updated: 08/01/14
Story Notes:
Huge thanks and many virtual flowers to my beta, Vicki/Oregonian.

I recommend reading this story as if Helene has a flirtatious, kind of sassy attitude that could have placed her in Slytherin... :)

1. Delayed Arrival by Nagini Riddle

Delayed Arrival by Nagini Riddle
Delayed Arrival

"Oof!"

"Careful there! One would think you wanted to wrap your arms around me."

"No, I don't. I just didn't see you rounding the corner, that's all."

"Really? I was sure you looked right into my eyes before crashing your chest into mine."

"Did not!"

"You have a beautiful blush."

"I think you're being too forward."

"Now, now. Let's not be rash. I was simply commenting on your beauty. Might a man be allowed to do so?"

"Yes, a man might."

"Feisty, aren't you?"

"I'm going to be late for class."

"Which one?"

"Why do you care?"

"I'd like to know more about how your mind works, if that's okay with you."

"I'm going now."

"But I don't even know your name!"

"..."

"You have a very pretty face when you're indecisive."

"Not that it is any of your business, but my name is Helene."

"Oh? No doubt named after Helen of Troy, the face that launched a thousand ships?"

"Flattery can only get you so far, Mr..."

"No need for such formalities. My name is Abraxas."

"...Malfoy."

"Ah, so you do know me?"

"Only by reputation. Which means that I should be going."

"How about I take you out to Hogsmeade this weekend?"

"Really?"

"You act so surprised!"

"I don't think you realize who you are talking to."

"I am talking to the majestic Helene."

"You are talking to an ordinary, plain, Muggle-born."

"Muggle-born?"

"Ah, now we've hit a snag, haven't we?"

"I--I--that is..."

"Good day, Mr. Malfoy."

"Helene, meet me at Hogsmeade."

"I don't think I will. Good bye."

"Helene!"

---

"Hello, Helene."

"Abraxas!"

"Ah, so you will use my first name."

"What are you doing over here? This is the Ravenclaw table."

"Your point? There is no set rule saying I have to stay with all my slippery friends."

"I'd rather not be seen talking to you."

"Every girl wants to be seen talking to me."

"I'm not every girl."

"I can see that. You're far prettier."

"You're not so bad yourself."

"Despite the disdain in your voice, I will take that as a compliment."

"What do you want, Mr. Malfoy?"

"Formalities again?"

"..."

"If looks could kill, you would be surrounded by a stadium of heartbroken boys."

"What do you want?"

"Testy, testy. I only want what I asked for earlier."

"Drop dead, Malfoy."

–I would if it got you to go with me to Hogsmeade."

"Hmm. Malfoy, tell me something. Would your 'slippery friends' approve of you meeting me at Hogsmeade? Do they even approve of you talking to me right now?"

"Why should it matter if they approve or not?"

"That's a very good answer, isn't it? They don't know that you're talking to me, do they?"

"..."

"And I suppose that we would be incognito at Hogsmeade. Nobody would know that the two of us were there, together."

"That's hardly fair!"

"Oh? What did you have in mind?"

"..."

"Good bye, Malfoy."

"Good bye, Miss Helene."

---

"Boo!"

"Malfoy! I told you I didn't want to meet you in Hogsmeade."

"You did? I just thought you said you wouldn't go with me.”

–Well, well you thought wrong.”

–Do I detect a hint of smile? Am I wearing you down?”

–No. Go find your friends, Malfoy.”

–And abandon the chance to escort your marvelous beauty around Hogsmeade?”

–You mean ‘run around behind people’s backs.’”

–Where is your sense of adventure and mystery?”

–Are you implying that it would be fun to keep this secret? Exciting to sneak around? Thrilling to know something no one else does?”

–I suppose I am--partly. I was really suggesting that you would get to be with me.”

–Aren’t you full of yourself? You, an adventure? Don’t make me laugh.”

–I want to make you laugh.”

–Then it will be an incredulous laugh. Malfoy, heir to his father’s vast fortune, Pureblood and Slytherin, wanting to ‘have an adventure’ with a poor, Muggle-born Ravenclaw.”

–You forgot exquisitely beautiful.”

–You’re trying to flatter me into a corner.”

–I’m being sincere. You are an angel.”

–And if I turn out to be the devil?”

–It will add to the mystery and intrigue.”

–Abrax--Malfoy, I don’t have time for an ‘adventure.’ N.E.W.T.s are in just a couple weeks. Then we graduate and go on to our own respective lives.”

–I see.”

–I have to go, Malfoy. My friends will start to wonder where I’ve gone.”

–Good bye, Helene.”

–Good bye… Abraxas.”

---

–…and that belongs on the top shelf, right there. Be careful now! It’s fragile--”

–Hello, Helene. Busy organising?”

–Abraxas! What are you doing here?”

–I’m a customer. This is quite a nice shop you have.”

–My father helped me acquire it.”

–Ah. My father helped me get my job, too. I’ve only been working there for a few months, but already I’ve had two promotions.”

–That’s nice.”

–You know, Helene, you’re even more beautiful than when we graduated.”

–What are you here to get, Malfoy?”

–Why is it that every time I compliment you, I suddenly become my surname?”

–Abraxas, what would you like to buy?”

–See, that wasn’t so bad. My name easily rolled off your tongue.”

–…”

–You are the queen of hard looks.”

–I thought you said you were a customer.”

–I am. I’m here to buy your heart.”

–Other mindless girls might fall for such a line…”

–Helene, please. I don’t mean to con you. I’d like to take you to dinner. Celebratory, if you don’t mind. To congratulate you on your new job.”

–I’m busy.”

–Too busy for dinner? Too busy for an hour break?”

–…”

–Take your time. I’ll just admire how angelic your face appears when you close your eyes in deep thought.”

–You never stop, do you?”

–You should smile more often. You have a very pretty smile.”

–You flatter me.”

–Is that a yes?”

–Just one dinner?”

–For now.”

–…”

–What are you thinking?”

–About your family and friends.”

–Why?”

–Well, perhaps, since we aren’t in school anymore, it might be easier for you to hide.”

–…”

–Abraxas... I’ll go to dinner.”

–You will?”

–Yes. I’ll allow myself to be swept up into your flattery for one night.”

–Are you ribbing me?”

–Perhaps.”

–With that smile, you do look the devil.”

–Why, Abraxas! That is no way to talk to a lady.”

–Why, Helene, you’re right. My apologies.”

–Oh, Abraxas. You do make me laugh.”

–I’m glad. I have been trying to get you to laugh ever since I met you.”

–Don’t start thinking you’ve won yet. After all, it could just be a fluke.”

–You know, you are just as manipulative as I am.”

–I told you I could be the devil.”

–Dinner tonight, then?”

–Yes, tonight. I’ll be off at 7.”

–7 it is. Until we meet again, Helene.”

–I’ll be waiting, Abraxas.”
End Notes:
Helene/Abraxas forever...
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